Jabuticaba

Jabuticaba (Portuguese: jabuticaba ), also known as Brazilian grape tree (English: Brazilian grape tree ), is a tree in the family Myrtaceae, native to Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. The fruit, also called jabuticaba, is purplish-black, with a white pulp; it can be eaten raw or be used to make jellies, wine, and liqueurs.

Description

The jabuticaba tree can reach heights of up to 15 meters, but usually grows to about 10-12 meters. The tree's bark is smooth, with a color ranging from salmon to brown. It peels off in thin curls as the tree grows. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptic, glossy dark green with a leathery texture.

The jabuticaba fruit is a round, dark purple to black berry, measuring 3-4 cm in diameter. The skin is thick and gives way to a sweet, white or rosy pink gelatinous flesh. Each fruit contains one to four seeds.

Cultivation

Jabuticaba is largely grown in its native countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. The tree prefers moist, rich, lightly acidic soils for growth. It is a slow-growing tree, taking up to three years to produce fruit, but can bear fruit up to three times a year once mature.

Uses

The jabuticaba fruit is edible and can be eaten fresh or used in the making of jellies, wines, and liqueurs. The fruit is also used in traditional medicine in Brazil to treat various ailments, including asthma and dysentery.

See also

• List of culinary fruits
• List of Brazilian fruits